Cross-Channel Ferries (Hansard, 14 July 1988)

§ Mr. Tony Lloyd
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his Department's policy in future to conduct regular unannounced inspections of all cross-Channel ferries.

§ Mr. David Mitchell
My Department's marine surveyors will continue to carry out random unannounced as well as announced inspections of cross-Channel ferries.

§ Mr. Tony Lloyd
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give details of every passenger safety certificate issued by local marine offices under the authority of his Department to P and O cross-Channel ferries in the last 13 months.

§ Mr. David Mitchell
The following P and O cross-Channel ferries have been issued with passenger and safety certificates in the last 13 monthsEuropean Clearway, European Endeavour (formerly European Enterprise), European Trader, Pride of Bruges (formerly Pride of Free Enterprise), Pride of Calais, Pride of Canterbury (formerly Free Enterprise VIII), Pride of Dover, Pride of Hythe (formerly Free Enterprise V), Pride of Kent (formerly Spirit of Free Enterprise), Pride of Sandwich (formerly Free Enterprise VI), Pride of Walmer (formerly Free Enterprise VII), Viking Trader, Viking Valliant, Viking Venturer, Viking Viscount, Viking Voyager.

§ Mr. Tony Lloyd
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has any plans to include in the criteria by which a cross-Channel ferry is judged in any application for a passenger safety certificate the experience of crew members operating the vessel and hours worked by those crew before embarkation of each passenger complement.

§ Mr. David Mitchell
The procedures for the issue of a passenger and safety certificate to a cross-Channel ferry include a check on the statutory qualifications of the officers and the number of qualified persons required for emergency duties. The allocation of duties and hours worked between members of the crew is in the first instance a matter for the operator.

§ Mr. Tony Lloyd
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the structural requirements for shipping vessels, including life-saving equipment, with particular reference to cross-Channel ferries, in regard to the issue of a passenger safety certificate.

§ Mr. David Mitchell
The structural requirements for cross-Channel ferries are given in the Merchant Shipping (Passenger Ship Construction) Regulations 1980 or the Merchant Shipping (Passenger Ship Construction and Survey) Regulations 1984, as appropriate, depending upon the age of the ship. Details of the life-saving equipment to be carried on such ships are given in the Merchant Shipping (Life-Saving Appliances) Regulations 1980 or 1986 as appropriate.